To the Music Director: A Davidic Song

A Prayer for Deliverance

1a Deliver me, LORD, from evil people,

preserve me from violent men,

2who craft evil plans in their minds,

inciting wars every day.b

3They sharpen their tongues like a serpent;

the venom of vipers is on their lips.

Interlude

4Protect me, LORD, from the control of evil people,

from violent men who have planned to trip me.

5The arrogant have laid a trap for me;

they have spread a net with ropes,

lining it with snares along the way.

Interlude

6So I say to the LORD, “You are my God;

listen to my voice

as I plead for mercy, LORD.

7LORD, my Lord, my strong deliverer,

you have protected my head in the timec of battle.

8Never grant, LORD, the desires of the wicked;

never condone their plans

so they cannot exalt themselves.

Interlude

9May those who surround me discover

that the trouble they talk about falls on their own head!

10May burning coals fall on them;

may they be cast into fire,

and into miry pits, never to rise again.

11Let not the slandererd become established in the land.

May evil quickly hunt down the violent man.

12I know that the LORD will act on behalf of the tormented,

providing justice for the needy.

13Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name,

while the upright live in your presence.